Pics: Meryick D'Silva
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (DV)

Mangaluru, Dec 30: Minister for health and family welfare U T Khadar on Tuesday December 30 said that by the end of January 2015, his ministry will launch bike ambulances on a pilot basis, and already 30 bike ambulances have been approved under this plan.

Addressing a press meet here on Tuesday December 30, Khadar said, "Ten bike ambulances will be launched initially in Mangaluru, Bengaluru, Hubballi, Mysuru and other city corporations. Thereafter, based on the success of the project we will decide where else it is to be implemented."

He also said that the government will soon be introducing air ambulances in the form of helicopters too. "It is not just an ambulance but a mini hospital in itself. The project is under discussion and three companies have come forward to take it up as part of their corporate social responsibility (CSR). It will be implemented by next October or November, and for the first three months it will be run on CSR fund. If the air ambulances help and work efficiently, then the government will step in and adopt the project," he explained.

"By this, we will be incorporating modern technology in medical sciences," he added.

When a reporter questioned Khadar on union minister D V Sadananda Gowda's claim that the state government failed to act on a warning from the centre about the Bengaluru blast before it took place, Khadar brushed aside the allegation and said, "We should not politicise the Bengaluru blast. It is not the culture of our state. We should unite and fight against the enemies of humanity. If we politicise the issue, those who involved in the terror act will benefit. Instead let us unite and fight. The punishment for the culprit should be such that it sets an example and sends strong message to others."

He also said that pending salaries of non-communicable disease (NCD) staff have been sanctioned and will be cleared off soon, and that doctors who work for three months in government hospitals will be made permanent.

Referring to the amendment of the Karnataka Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments Act, he said the idea of government taking control of Maths is not a new one and was first mooted during Yeddyurappy-led BJP government in the state as recommended by the Justice Rama Jois Committee.